Last night Meirionnydd Nant Conwy MP Mr Llwyd said: "At last I've had a reply from the Minister of State for Armed Forces Adam Ingram who says the Special Investigations Board of the Royal Military Police have begun their investigation into the death of L/Cpl Keys and five of his colleagues."

But Mr Llwyd said he was concerned by Mr Ingram's comment that "it is likely to be some time before the investigation is completed and even then we may not know with absolute certainty the particulars of what happened".

Mr Llwyd said several questions were unanswered, including when the inquiry would be held.

He also wanted to know whose decision it had been to send the RMP patrol of only two or three Land Rovers out when feelings were running so high in the community.

Mr Llwyd added: "I cannot under-stand why this investigation is taking so long and how can they say that they may not be able to know with certainty what happened? This looks like a smokescreen."

Mr Llwyd said he will be continuing to press for a full inquiry.

L/Cpl Keys' father Reg Keys has demanded to know why the men apparently had insufficient back-up.

L/Cpl Keys' mother Sally said they were aware the investigation could take between six months and two years.